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Tropical Storm Karen approaches Gulf Coast

Waders enjoy the waters off of Pensacola Beach Friday as the approach of Tropical Storm Karen caused red flag warnings to be posted Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, in Pensacola, Fla. Karen would be the second named storm of a quiet hurricane season to make landfall in the U.S. — the first since Tropical Storm Andrea hit Florida in June. Along with strong winds, the storm was forecast to produce rainfall of 3 to 6 inches through Sunday night. Isolated rain totals of up to 10 inches were possible.

(AP PhotoThe Pensacola News Journal, Bruce Graner

By Jay ReevesThe Associated Press

Published: Friday, October 4, 2013 at 9:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 4, 2013 at 9:14 p.m.

MOBILE | Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Friday declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Karen approaches the coast.

Alabama's coast faces a possible 5-foot storm surge along with high winds, heavy rains and dangerous rip currents. Forecasters say Karen could reach the northern Gulf Coast late today or early Sunday.

A hurricane watch was in effect Friday, though forecasts in the afternoon suggested that Karen might strike the coast as a tropical storm. It's still possible that Karen would intensify and make landfall as a weak hurricane.

Big waves already were hitting Dauphin Island, where a few surfers were riding waves on Friday afternoon.

Across Mobile Bay at Orange Beach, pastor Chris Fowler said the surf was high but didn't appear to be eroding the white sand beach.

The state of emergency was being declared in anticipation of fierce winds and heavy rain, but tornadoes are also possible with such a storm, the governor said.

"Residents and businesses along Alabama's coast should monitor weather conditions and be prepared for whatever this tropical storm may bring," Bentley said in a statement. "By declaring this state of emergency, I am mobilizing the resources our communities need as the storm approaches."

The state of emergency places Alabama National Guard members and all emergency response agencies on alert, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said.

In Gulf Shores, evacuations aren't anticipated, but officials are still taking precautions, city spokesman Grant Brown said. Gulf Shores moved its lifeguard stands off the beach to higher ground.

The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab was closed because of the storm, same as the Mobile Bay Ferry.

In Mobile, the Bayfest music festival was beginning Friday with a lineup including the Zac Brown Band and R. Kelly.

Bayfest organizers said Friday afternoon that performances on the major stages would go on, but they've canceled acts on the smaller stages — the Gospel, Launching Pad, Jazz and Café stages.

"It's in the best interests of everyone involved to only set up the major stages this year because they're larger and better secured," festival organizers said in a written statement.

Though forecasts could change, it appeared Friday that Alabama's Gulf coast would be dealing with a tropical storm, authorities said.

"There's a wind shear apparently that has diminished chances for a full-blown hurricane," said Nancy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Mobile County Commission.

Still, the county was planning to deploy public works crews to check for water overtopping the roads. If that happens, Johnson said, "they will be quick to barricade them because of the danger of going into water where you can't see the pavement."

The coastal towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores were flying double red flags to warn swimmers to stay out of the water because of dangerous rip currents.

<p>MOBILE | Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Friday declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Karen approaches the coast. </p><p>Alabama's coast faces a possible 5-foot storm surge along with high winds, heavy rains and dangerous rip currents. Forecasters say Karen could reach the northern Gulf Coast late today or early Sunday. </p><p>A hurricane watch was in effect Friday, though forecasts in the afternoon suggested that Karen might strike the coast as a tropical storm. It's still possible that Karen would intensify and make landfall as a weak hurricane. </p><p>Big waves already were hitting Dauphin Island, where a few surfers were riding waves on Friday afternoon. </p><p>Across Mobile Bay at Orange Beach, pastor Chris Fowler said the surf was high but didn't appear to be eroding the white sand beach. </p><p>"Right now I'm looking at some really gargantuan waves, probably 6 or 7 feet high," Fowler said. </p><p>The state of emergency was being declared in anticipation of fierce winds and heavy rain, but tornadoes are also possible with such a storm, the governor said. </p><p>"Residents and businesses along Alabama's coast should monitor weather conditions and be prepared for whatever this tropical storm may bring," Bentley said in a statement. "By declaring this state of emergency, I am mobilizing the resources our communities need as the storm approaches."</p><p>The state of emergency places Alabama National Guard members and all emergency response agencies on alert, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said. </p><p>In Gulf Shores, evacuations aren't anticipated, but officials are still taking precautions, city spokesman Grant Brown said. Gulf Shores moved its lifeguard stands off the beach to higher ground. </p><p>The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab was closed because of the storm, same as the Mobile Bay Ferry. </p><p>In Mobile, the Bayfest music festival was beginning Friday with a lineup including the Zac Brown Band and R. Kelly. </p><p>Bayfest organizers said Friday afternoon that performances on the major stages would go on, but they've canceled acts on the smaller stages — the Gospel, Launching Pad, Jazz and Café stages. </p><p>"It's in the best interests of everyone involved to only set up the major stages this year because they're larger and better secured," festival organizers said in a written statement. </p><p>Though forecasts could change, it appeared Friday that Alabama's Gulf coast would be dealing with a tropical storm, authorities said. </p><p>"There's a wind shear apparently that has diminished chances for a full-blown hurricane," said Nancy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Mobile County Commission. </p><p>Still, the county was planning to deploy public works crews to check for water overtopping the roads. If that happens, Johnson said, "they will be quick to barricade them because of the danger of going into water where you can't see the pavement." </p><p>The coastal towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores were flying double red flags to warn swimmers to stay out of the water because of dangerous rip currents.</p>